"Today was very disappointing for everyone connected with the club. For myself, the players, the directors, all the supporters who turned out in great force today," said Hall.

"It was there for us and we didn't take it. I'm devastated for everyone connected with the club.''

Hall was pleased with the support the team received and hopes that, despite the loss, the same spectators will get behind the team next year.

He added: "It was nice to see a good turnout and great to hear the vocal support. Let's hope they get behind us next year.

"From all disappointments you have take the positives. And what we can get from that is to make sure that next year we don't slip up at semi-final time and that we make the final."

Like everybody else Hall would like to know when the 2001-02 season is going to start, so that preparations can be geared to then.

He said: "The big thing is knowing when next season starts. Things are in hand with a lot of the senior players at the club to make sure they are tied down for one or two years. There are a few other irons in the fire to bring some new players in.

"We've got a very small squad, as has been shown in the last few weeks with the loss of Dave Larder, Wes Rogers and even Sean Cooper today. I believe he's got a broken eye socket.

"So we've been really thin on the ground at the best of times."

Hall paid tribute to all the players and was pleased with the efforts of those who came into the squad. He said: "The players who came in did well enough. We had enough of the game to go on and win it. For some reason we didn't. I can't put my finger on it at the moment.

"It was just one of those things in the last 10 to 12 minutes. Oldham got on a roll and we couldn't stop it," he said.